Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on her Department's decision to advise a person who has applied for the back to education allowance that they would have to drop out of their course in order to be put back into payment; her views on whether this is encouraging applicants to better themselves; her further views on the fact that the qualifying conditions of having to progress to another level in order to receive the back to education allowance is not always practical and is restrictive; her further views on the fact that there should be some leniency when a person who holds a current certificate is unable to find employment in that field or when a person is enrolling in a course of more than one year in length and that the award at the end of the two years is a higher level; if her Department can have some discretion in deciding on such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42952/12]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a masters degree does not qualify for the back to education allowance in the same way as the higher diploma, even though both courses are higher level qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43283/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 366 together.

The Department of Social Protection provides a wide range of second chance education opportunities for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities. The Department's objective in this area is to raise educational and skills level among the long term unemployed in order to help them to meet the requirements of the modern labour market. Included in the supports available is the back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme which is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to remove the barriers to participation in second and third level education. The scheme is open to those on certain social welfare payments for a specified time and who otherwise meet the conditions of the scheme. These other conditions include, the nature of the course being pursued and the qualification sought, and progression by reference to the level of education previously held. The scheme covers a wide range of full-time courses of education in approved colleges spanning basic foundation courses to third level courses across all disciplines.

BTEA guidelines are, in the main, in line with the mechanisms in place for similar student supports administered by the Department of Education and Skills and require student progression from one qualification level to a higher one. This is necessary to ensure displacement does not occur, in that courses could be offered to students who are not progressing at the cost of students progressing from a lower education level.

It is important to note that the BTEA scheme is not intended to be an alternative form of funding for those wishing to enter or re-enter the education system. It is not possible, within the scope of the scheme, to authorise an application for payment where the basic qualifying conditions have not been satisfied and progression is not evident.

If a person wishes to pursue a part time education course they may be able to do so while still obtaining their jobseekers payment. They must apply at their local social welfare office and verify that participation on the course does not reduce their availability for work. In the case of jobseekers benefit, participation on a course does not grant any extension to the normal period for which jobseekers benefit is paid.